Seal displacing device



May 23, 1961 c. E. JACKSON 2,985,436

SEAL DIsPLAcING DEVICE Filed May 11, 1959 igll d ATTORNEYS SEAL DISPLAClNG DEVICE Clark E. Jackson, Rolling Hills, Calif., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Purex Corporation, Ltd., a corporation of California Filed May 11, 1959, Ser. No. 812,475

14 Claims. (Cl. 259-125) This invention relates generally to parts cleaning apparatus generally of the type where soiled parts are treated with liquid solvents in a cleaning tank. More particularly, the invention concerns improvements in such apparatus having for their purpose the prevention or inhibition of evaporation loss of the solvent in the cleaning tank.

At the present time it is the general practice in the art of cleaning or removing carbon or paint from parts in a solvent treating tank to submerge the parts in the removal solution, which is typically highly volatile, and to tioat on the solution a water solution layer of several inches thickness which acts as a barrier or seal to inhibit evaporation loss of the solvent. The lower layer normally is a hydrocarbon solution, typically a chlorinated hydrocarbon solution, and hence not miscible with the water solution or sealing layer, and it has a specific gravity of around 1.4 whereas the top or sealing layer has a specific gravity of 1.0 to 1.1 corrosion inhibitors such as potassium chromate typically being incorporated in the aqueous sealing liquid.

Soil, carbon and paint removal from the parts can be accelerated by agitation of the cleaning solution, but any appreciable agitation has a tendency to cause emulsiiication of the cleaning solution with the sealing layer, leading to evaporation losses of solvent. In an effort to prevent this undesirable result, it has been the practice to slide a balle plate horizontally between the upper and lower layers to separate them during agitation of the cleaning solution. This practice, however, leads to rather complex mechanical and space problems involving operation of the baille to drive it into and out of position between the cleaning solution and the sealing layer, and locating the bale at one side of the tank when not in use.

It is a major object of the present invention to overcome the need for such a horizontally slidable bathe and thereby to dispense with the problems associated with its use through the provision of means for automatically displacing the 4liquid sealing layer from over the solvent solution at the time that the tank lid is lowered into position over the tank. In carrying out this object, I provide in a cleaning receptacle having a lower zone for receiving cleaning liquid and parts to be cleaned therein and having an upper zone for a lliquid seal overlying the cleaning liquid in the lower zone, the improvement that comprises liquid seal displacement means adapted to be placed into the upper zone thereby to displace sealing liquid transversely from that upper zone. In combination with such liquid seal displacement means I further provide a chamber extending at a higher elevation than the upper zone and communicating therewith for receiving upward displacement flow of the sealing liquid so that upon withdrawal of the displacement means the displaced liquid will have gravity flow downwardly in the chamber for return into the upper zone.

More particularly, my liquid seal displacement means typically includes a hollow .body movable downwardly i ice chamber wherein the liquid rises above its normally top level.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the drawings in which:

Fig. l is a vertical cross section taken in elevation through the receptacle showing the liquid seal displacement means raised out of liquid displacing position;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the liquid seal displacement means lowered into liquid seal displacement position; and

Fig. 3 is a top plan view partly broken away to show the construction of the cleaning receptacle and the liquid seal displacement means overlying the interior of the receptacle.

In the drawings, the parts cleaning apparatus 10 includes an upright tank 11 which has opposite front and rear walls 12 and opposite side walls 13, together forming an interior zone 14 for receiving articles to be cleaned. Typically, such articles may comprise carbon fouled jet engine parts received downwardly as within a a retaining basket into the cleansing zone 14.

The opposite walls 12 of the tank typically have recesses 19 formed therein, which open transversely and divergently toward the cleaning zone 14. Each of the recesses is preferably in the form of a truncated pyramid having four sides, a vertically spaced pair 20 of which diverge respectively toward the top and bottom of the receptacle. Similarly, the horizontally spaced pair 21 of the recessed sides diverge respectively toward the opposite sides 13 of the receptacle, and it will be understood that as a result of this recess configuration the liquid is circulated in the tank in the loop pattern as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3. This recessed wall construction is more particularly described in the co-pending application Serial No. 750,965, tiled Iuly 25, 1958 for Apparatus for Agitating Cleansing Liquid, by Marshall R. Bland.

Such liquid circulation is preferably eiected by a hydrodynamically designed and reversible thrust propeller 22, typically a three blade screw propeller, operable to displace the bulk of the yliquid therethrough and alternately in axially opposite directions, as distinguished from the action of a centrifugal impeller which throws the bulk of the liquid radially therefrom during impeller rotation and moreover is not reversible to displace liquid in opposite directions as desired. Each propeller is attached to a horizontally extending shaft 23 projecting through the wall 12 at its at square head or base 24 from which diverge the upwardly and downwardly flared wall portions 20 and the horizontally ared portions 21 of the receptacle wall 12. Attached to the base 24 is the housing 28 of an electric motor, which is preferably reversible so that the propeller 22 may be driven in opposite directions. Each of these motors may be of the induction type, so that by changing the polarity of the motor or the phase relationship of the applied current a reversal in the direction of the drive transmitted to the propeller may be secured. Current is applied to each motor through switching mechanism indicated at 30 which is operable to reverse the direction of drive transmission to the propellers from the motors, for purposes to be described. A master control switch is shown at 130.

The tank shown in Figs. l Yand 2 has a sloping bottom 30 tapering downwardly Vand away from Ithe egg crate grating 31 to forin a flow space 132 within which collected soils may flow laterally to the normally closed outlet 33.

Liquid is typically supplied to the tank through an inlet 34 in wall 13. Typical cleansing liquids or solvents include chlorinated hydrocarbons, trichlo'r'oe'thylene, cyclohexane, and solutions of detergents, or acids or bases, such as strong caustic solutions. Representative soils on parts such as bearings, shafts, compressor blades, sleeves and the like include greases, oils, dust, tar, sludge', rust, resin, wax, carbon, lapping and buing compounds, and steel particles. The purpose of the grating 31 is to form spaces into which ksoils removed from the parts in the cleaning zone are adapted to settle out ofthe path of liquid circulation in the receptacle, the soils dropping into the flow space 32. I A

Referring now to the improvements with which the present invention is concerned, Figs. l through 3 show that the receptacle walls 13 have sideward and upward extensions at 36 and 37 whereas the receptacle walls 12 have upward extensions 38, these defining an upper zone below the broken line 69 and a chamber 41 above the broken line 39. The latter marks the normal top surface level of the liquid sealing layer, the bottom level of which is generally in the same plane 4) as the sideward horizontal extension 36 of the receptacle walls 13. Also, it will be understood that the solvent solution entirely iills the lower interior 14 of the receptacle whichV extends up to the horizontal plane 40. Typical sealing layers will comprise Water, and also aqueous solutions containing corrosion inhibitors such as potassium chromate.

The displacement chamber into which the liquid seal is to be displaced, which is generally indicated by the number 41, extends at a higher elevation than the upper zone 42 within which the liquid Vseal normally extends, and freely communicates with that zone for receiving upward displacement flow of the sealing liquid. Such upward displacement How is caused or effected by lowering into the upper zone 42 of the liquid seal displacement means generally indicated at 43. The latter includes typically a lid 44 for the receptacle hinged at 45 to the wall `37, and a displacement body 46 which, when completely lowered, occupies the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Body 46 is preferably but not necessarily, hollow and its downward position typically is limited by engagement of the lid 44 on a ange 47 carried by the chamber wall extension 37. When in lowered position, displacement body 46 may be held against inadvertent upward retraction by means of the holder or bracket 4S which is manipulable to overlap the edge portion of the lid 44 as seen in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 also shows that the bottom surface 49 of the body 46 extends in or closely approximate horizontal plane 40, which is the bottom surface extent of the sealing layer7 all for the purpose of laterally displacing the sealing liquid toward and into chamber 41. The latter is sized to receive the laterally displaced liquid and to flow it upwardly above the top surface level 39, and typically, the liquid will rise to levels such as are indicated by broken lines 50 in Fig. 2. Y

Upon upward withdrawal of the displacement body 46, the displaced liquid will have gravity flow downwardly in the chamber 41 for return ilow transversely into the upper zone 42 in covering and sealing relation with Vthe solvent in the lower interior zone 14 of the receptacle.

This particular function is served by sizing the over-allV both the chamber 41 and the zone 42 when lowered into the position shown in Fig. 2.

From the foregoing it will be apparentthat I have provided improvements in parts cleaning apparatus which accomplish automatic displacement of the liquid seal from overlying relation to the solvent solution, at those times when the receptacle lid 44 is lowered into position immediately prior to a cleaning operation. Therefore, no complicated auxiliary apparatus is necessary Vfor rnechanically driving a baie horizontally between the sealing and solvent layers, and also the present structure is exceedingly compact as distinguished from devices such as are shown'in U.S. Patent No. 2,838,289, wherein bafes overhang the sides of the receptacle to undesired extent.

While the displacement chamber 4i into which the liquid seal is to be displaced is shown as overhanging two sides only of the tank interior zone 14, it will be understood that chamber 41 may also overhang three or all foursides of the interior zone 14.

I claim:

l. In parts cleaning apparatus including a receptacle having a lower zone for receiving cleaning liquid and parts to be cleaned during liquid agitation therein and an upper zone for a liquid seal overlying the cleaning liquid in said lower zone, the improvement that comprises liquid seal displacement means adapted to be placed into said upper zone thereby to displace sealing liquid transversely from said upper zone, and a chamber extending at a higher elevation than said upper zone and communicating therewith forV receiving upward displacement ilow of said sealing liquid so that upon upward withdrawal of said displacement means the displaced liquid will have gravity flow downwardly in said chamber for return into said upper zone, said seal displacement means extending sufficiently across the upper zone when placed therein that communication of agitation from the cleaning liquid to the displaced sealing liquid is essentially eliminated.

2. In parts cleaning apparatus including a receptacle having arlower zone for receiving cleaning liquid and downward insertion of parts to be cleaned during liquid agitation therein and having an upper zone for a liquid seal overlying the cleaning liquid in said lower zone, the improvement that comprises liquid seal displacement means and other means supporting said displacement means for downward placement into` said upper zone thereby to displace sealing liquid transversely from said upper zone, said seal displacement means presenting a substantially fiat and continuously horizontally extending under surface to liquid in the receptacle whereby transverse displacement ilow of said vsealing liquid can occur without substantial mixing of sealing liquid with said cleaning liquid,v and a Vchamber extending at a higher elevation than said upper zone and communicating therewith for receiving upward displacement flow of said sealing liquid so that upon upward withdrawal of 'said dis` placement means the displaced liquid will have gravity ilow downwardly in said chamber for return into said upper zone, said seal displacement means extending suiciently across the upper zone vwhen placed therein that communication of agitation from the cleaning liquid to the displaced sealing liquid is essentially eliminated.

3. In parts cleaning apparatus including a receptacle having a lower zone for receiving cleaning liquid and parts to beV cleaned during liquid agitation therein and an upper zone for a liquid seal overlying the liquid in said lower zone, the improvement that comprises `liquid seal displacement means including a hollow body adapted to be placed downwardly into said upper zone thereby to displace sealing liquid transversely from said upper zone, said seal displacement means presenting a substantially ilat and continuously horizontally extending under surface to liquid in Vthe receptacle whereby transassunse verse displacement flow of said sealing liquid can occur without substantial mixing of sealing liquid with said cleaning liquid, and a chamber extending at a higher elevation than said upper zone and communicating therewith for receiving upward displacement of said sealing liquid so that upon upward withdrawal of said displacement means the displaced liquid will have gravity ilow downwardly in said chamber for return into said upper zone, said seal displacement means extending suiciently across the upper zone when placed therein that cornmunication of agitation from the cleaning liquid to the displaced sealing liquid is essentially eliminated.

4. In parts cleaning apparatus including a receptacle having a lower zone for receiving volatile cleaning liquid solution and downward insertion of parts to he cleaned during liquid agitation therein and having an upper zone for a liquid seal layer overlying the cleaning solution in said lower zone and means for agitating said cleaning solution, the improvement that comprises liquid seal displacement means including a receptacle lid and a body movable downwardly into said upper zone thereby to displace sealing liquid transversely from said upper zone and beneath said body, said seal displacement means presenting a substantially at and continuously horizontally extending under surface to liquid in the receptacle whereby transverse displacement flow of said sealing liquid can occur without substantial mixing of sealing liquid with said cleaning liquid, means for limiting downward placement of said body in said upper zone, and a chamber extending at a higher elevation than said upper zone and communicating therewith for receiving upward displacement flow of said sealing liquid so that upon upward withdrawal of said body from said upper zone prior to removal of said parts the displaced sealing liquid will have gravity flow downwardly in said chamber for return into said upper zone, said seal displacement means extending suiciently across the upper zone when placed therein that communication of agitation from the cleaning liquid to the displaced sealing liquid is essentially eliminated.

5. The invention as deined in claim 4 in which said chamber comprises an upward extension of said receptacle and is rigid for downward reception of said body therein.

6. The invention as deiined in claim 5 in which the portion of said body adapted to displace sealing liquid weighs less than the amount of sealing liquid to be displaced thereby.

7. 'I'he invention as defined in claim 6 including means for holding said body in downwardly placed position in said upper zone.

8. The invention as defined in claim 6 in which said body is hollow.

9. 'I'he invention as defined in claim 8 in which said chamber has a horizontal cross section greater than the horizontal cross section of the lower zone directly underlying said upper zone.

10. In parts cleaning apparatus, the combination comprising a receptacle having a lower zone for receiving parts to be cleaned during liquidagitation therein, cleaning liquid in said lower zone, said receptacle having an upper zone completely overlying said lower zone for receiving a liquid seal layer, liquid seal displacement means placed downwardly in said upper zone whereby sealing liquid is displaced transversely from said upper zone, and a receptacle chamber extending at a higher elevation than said upper zone and communicating therewith and within which said sealing liquid stands upwardly displaced from said upper zone so that upon upward withdrawal of said displacement means the displaced liquid will have gravity flow downwardly in said chamber for return into said upper zone, said seal displacement means extending sufciently across the upper zone when placed therein that communication of agitation from the cleaning liquid to the displaced sealing liquid is essentially eliminated.

11. In parts cleaning apparatus, the combination comprising a receptacle having a lower zone for receiving parts to be cleaned during liquid agitation therein, volatile cleaning solution in said lower zone, said receptacle having an upper zone completely overlying said lower zone for receiving a liquid seal layer, liquid seal displacement means including a body placed downwardly in said upper zone whereby sealing liquid is displaced transversely from said upper zone, said seal displacement means presenting a substantially at and continuously horizontally extending under surface to liquid in the receptacle whereby transverse displacement ow of said sealing liquid can occur without substantial mixing of sealing liquid with said cleaning liquid, means limiting downward placement of said body in said upper zone, and a receptacle chamber extending at a higher elevation than said upper zone and communicating therewith and within which said sealing liquid stands upwardly clisplaced from said upper zone so that upon upward withdrawal of said displacement means the displaced liquid will have gravity ow downwardly in said chamber for return into said upper zone, said seal displacement means extending sufficiently across the upper zone when placed therein that communication of agitation from the cleaning liquid to the displaced sealing liquid is essentially eliminated.

l2. The invention as defined in claim l1 in which said chamber comprises an upward extension of said receptacle and is rigid for downward reception of said body therein.

13. The invention as dened in claim l2 in which said body is hollow.

14. The invention as defined in claim l2 in which the speciiic gravity of said cleaning solution is greater than the speciiic gravity of said liquid seal.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,645,356 Shurts Oct. l1, 1927 2,348,448 Brewer May 9, 1944 2,623,238 Sluss Dec. 30, 1952 2,702,092 Douglass Feb. l5, 1955 

